HeartCode PALS Part 1

HeartCode® PALS Part 1 is a web-based, self-directed program that teaches healthcare providers knowledge and skills needed to recognize and prevent cardiopulmonary arrest in infants and children.

This program uses eSimulation technology to allow students to assess and treat patients in virtual healthcare settings. In this environment, students apply their knowledge to real-time decision-making and skills development. Debriefings and coaching are provided immediately after each simulation to facilitate learning about pediatric advanced life support.

HeartCode PALS Part 1

HeartCode PALS Part 1 is for healthcare providers who respond to emergencies in infants and children. This includes personnel in emergency response, emergency medicine, intensive care and critical care units such as physicians, nurses, paramedics and others who need a PALS course completion card and are seeking an alternative (non-classroom) method for completing an initial or update PALS course.

HeartCode PALS Part 1 is for healthcare providers who respond to emergencies in infants and children. This includes personnel in emergency response, emergency medicine, intensive care and critical care units such as physicians, nurses, paramedics and others who need a PALS course completion card and are seeking an alternative (non-classroom) method for completing an initial or update PALS course.

DESCRIPTION:HeartCode® PALS Part 1 is a 6-9 hour web-based, self-directed program that teaches healthcare providers knowledge and skills needed to recognize and prevent cardiopulmonary arrest in infants and children. Using eSimulation technology, students assess and treat patients in virtual healthcare settings where they can apply their knowledge to real-time decision-making and skills development. Debriefings and coaching are provided immediately after each simulation to facilitate learning about pediatric advanced life support.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:After participating in this activity, participants will be able to: 1. Describe the timely recognition and interventions required to prevent respiratory and cardiac arrest in any pediatric patient2. Describe the systematic approach to pediatric assessment by using the initial impression, primary and secondary assessments, and diagnostic tests3. Describe priorities and specific interventions for infants and children with respiratory and/or circulatory emergencies4. Explain the importance of effective team dynamics, including individual roles and responsibilities, during a pediatric resuscitation5. Describe the key elements of postresuscitation management6. Perform effective, high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) when appropriate7. Perform effective respiratory management within your scope of practice8. Select and apply appropriate cardiorespiratory monitoring9. Select and administer the appropriate medications and electrical therapies when presented with an arrhythmia scenario10. Establish rapid vascular access to administer fluid and medications11. Demonstrate effective communication and team dynamics both as a team member and as a team leader

Continuing Medical Education Accreditation – PhysiciansThe American Heart Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The American Heart Association designates this enduring material for a maximum of 10.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

All persons who develop and/or control educational content in CME/CE activities sponsored by the American Heart Association will disclose to the audience all financial relationships with any commercial supporters of this activity as well as with other commercial interests whose lines of business are related to the CME/CE-certified content of this activity. In addition, presenters will disclose unlabeled/unapproved uses of drugs or devices discussed in their presentations. Such disclosures will be made in writing in course presentation materials.

Continuing Medical Education Accreditation – Physician AssistantsAAPA accepts certificates of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by ACCME or a recognized state medical society. Physician assistants may receive a maximum of 10.25 hours of Category I credit for completing this program.

Continuing Education Accreditation – NursesThe American Heart Association is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

The maximum number of hours awarded for this CE activity is 10.00 contact hours.

Accredited status does not imply endorsement by the American Heart Association or the American Nurses Credentialing Center of any commercial products displayed in conjunction with an activity.

**ACCME and ANCC credit must be claimed within six months of attendance. Credit will not be available to claim after 6 months of attending the activity.

Disclosures for HeartCode® Pediatric Advanced Life Support Part 1: I. Instructions for Independent StudySuccessful completion of this CE activity includes the following: (1) Complete the online program, including the team dynamics lesson and passing the 12 core cases. (2) Complete the online course test with a score of 84% or higher.(3) Complete the Course Evaluation form.(4) Print the Certificate/Statement of Credit.

II. There is no additional fee for CME/CE credits for this activity.

Disclosure Statement: As a sponsor accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation (ANCC), and the Continuing Education Coordinating Board for Emergency Medical Services (CECBEMS), the American Heart Association must ensure fair balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all of its individually sponsored or joint sponsored educational activities.

Therefore, all faculty and authors participating in continuing education activities sponsored by the American Heart Association must disclose to the audience: (1) any significant financial relationships with the manufacturer(s) of products from the commercial supporter(s) and/or the manufacturer(s) of products or devices discussed in the activity, and (2) unlabeled/unapproved uses of drugs or devices discussed in the activity. The intent of this disclosure is not to prevent an author with a significant financial or other relationship from contributing but rather to provide participants with information with which they can make their own judgments. It remains for the participants to determine whether the author’s interests or relationships may influence the content.

Unlabeled/unapproved uses of drugs or devices included in this activity: The majority of resuscitation drugs used in this course are classified as “pediatric orphan drugs,” meaning there are insufficient pediatric data to give FDA-approved endorsement for their use in children, and these uses are therefore considered “off-label.” This includes, but is not limited to, procainamide, etomidate, vasopressin, amiodarone, and the procedures of ECMO and therapeutic hypothermia.

Note on Medication Doses

Emergency cardiovascular care is a dynamic science. Advances in treatment and drug therapies occur rapidly. Readers are advised to check for changes in recommended dose, indications, and contraindications in the following sources: future editions of the AHA Handbook of Emergency Cardiovascular Care for Healthcare Providers and AHA training materials, as well as the package insert product information sheet for each drug.

Clinical condition and pharmacokinetics may require drug dose or interval dosing adjustments. Specific parameters (for example, creatinine clearance or QT interval) may require monitoring. Some medications mentioned in this activity may not be available in all countries, and may not be specifically approved by regulatory agencies in some countries for a particular indication.

Students with Special Needs:The American Heart Association does not provide advice to Training Centers on ADA requirements or any other laws, rules or regulations. Training Centers must determine accommodations necessary to comply with applicable laws. AHA recommends consultation with legal counsel.

Core curriculum change requests for accessibility purposes must be scientifically based and approved in advance in writing by the AHA ECC Science & Product Development department; otherwise a student must be able to successfully perform all course requirements (skills and written tests as indicated) to receive a course completion card. Reasonable accommodations may be made, such as placing the manikin on a table at the height necessary for wheelchair-bound individuals. However the skills must be satisfactorily completed during the testing sessions.

Guidelines for accommodating students with special needs or disabilities may be found in the Program Administration Manual.

DESCRIPTION: HeartCode® PALS Part 2 is a hands-on skills practice session with an AHA PALS Instructor, and HeartCode® PALS Part 3 consists of a skills test with an AHA PALS Instructor. Parts 2 & 3 take approximately 3-4 total hours to complete. Parts 2 & 3 are to be taken after completion of HeartCode® PALS Part 1 Online. Successful completion of the full PALS course (using HeartCode® PALS Part 1) includes all three parts.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:After participating in this activity, participants will be able to: 1. Describe the timely recognition and interventions required to prevent respiratory and cardiac arrest in any pediatric patient2. Describe the systematic approach to pediatric assessment by using the initial impression, primary and secondary assessments, and diagnostic tests3. Describe priorities and specific interventions for infants and children with respiratory and/or circulatory emergencies4. Explain the importance of effective team dynamics, including individual roles and responsibilities, during a pediatric resuscitation5. Describe the key elements of postresuscitation management6. Perform effective, high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) when appropriate7. Perform effective respiratory management within your scope of practice8. Select and apply appropriate cardiorespiratory monitoring9. Select and administer the appropriate medications and electrical therapies when presented with an arrhythmia scenario10. Establish rapid vascular access to administer fluid and medications11. Demonstrate effective communication and team dynamics both as a team member and as a team leader

**CECBEMS credit must be claimed within six months of attendance. Credit will not be available to claim after 6 months of attending the activity.

Disclosures for HeartCode® Pediatric Advanced Life Support Parts 2 & 3:I. Successful completion of this CE activity includes the following: (1) Complete HeartCode® PALS Part 1 (online), Part 2 (hands-on skills practice session with an AHA PALS Instructor), and Part 3 (a skills test with an AHA PALS Instructor).(2) Complete the Course Evaluation form.(3) Print the Certificate/Statement of Credit.

II. There is no additional fee for CME/CE credits for this activity.

Disclosure Statement:As a sponsor accredited by the Continuing Education Coordinating Board for Emergency Medical Services (CECBEMS), the American Heart Association must ensure fair balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all of its individually sponsored or joint sponsored educational activities.

Therefore, all faculty and authors participating in continuing education activities sponsored by the American Heart Association must disclose to the audience: (1) any significant financial relationships with the manufacturer(s) of products from the commercial supporter(s) and/or the manufacturer(s) of products or devices discussed in the activity, and (2) unlabeled/unapproved uses of drugs or devices discussed in the activity. The intent of this disclosure is not to prevent an author with a significant financial or other relationship from contributing but rather to provide participants with information with which they can make their own judgments. It remains for the participants to determine whether the author’s interests or relationships may influence the content.

Unlabeled/unapproved uses of drugs or devices included in this activity: The majority of resuscitation drugs used in this course are classified as “pediatric orphan drugs,” meaning there are insufficient pediatric data to give FDA-approved endorsement for their use in children, and these uses are therefore considered “off-label.” This includes, but is not limited to, procainamide, etomidate, vasopressin, amiodarone, and the procedures of ECMO and therapeutic hypothermia.

Note on Medication Doses

Emergency cardiovascular care is a dynamic science. Advances in treatment and drug therapies occur rapidly. Readers are advised to check for changes in recommended dose, indications, and contraindications in the following sources: future editions of the AHA Handbook of Emergency Cardiovascular Care for Healthcare Providers and AHA training materials, as well as the package insert product information sheet for each drug.

Clinical condition and pharmacokinetics may require drug dose or interval dosing adjustments. Specific parameters (for example, creatinine clearance or QT interval) may require monitoring. Some medications mentioned in this activity may not be available in all countries, and may not be specifically approved by regulatory agencies in some countries for a particular indication.

Students with Special Needs:The American Heart Association does not provide advice to Training Centers on ADA requirements or any other laws, rules or regulations. Training Centers must determine accommodations necessary to comply with applicable laws. AHA recommends consultation with legal counsel.

Core curriculum change requests for accessibility purposes must be scientifically based and approved in advance in writing by the AHA ECC Science & Product Development department; otherwise a student must be able to successfully perform all course requirements (skills and written tests as indicated) to receive a course completion card. Reasonable accommodations may be made, such as placing the manikin on a table at the height necessary for wheelchair-bound individuals. However the skills must be satisfactorily completed during the testing sessions.

Guidelines for accommodating students with special needs or disabilities may be found in the Program Administration Manual.

Q: Does the AHA determine the cost for all training courses and the accompanying course materials?

A: Costs for courses and materials are determined by Training Centers or Instructors and may vary. The AHA does not regulate price; however, provides its authorized distributors suggested retail pricing on course materials.

Information for PALS Instructors conducting a skills practice and testing session for HeartCode PALS Part 1 can be found in the document “Training Memo: Skills Practice and Testing for HeartCode PALS.”